August 22, 2008

With a Little Help, Big Minnesota Muskie Search Successful

TOWER, Minn. - Steve Pallo, the head of the fisheries division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, can give chapter and verse for some of the best spots for muskie on Illinois lakes.

But outside the state, he relies on a little help from friends. That was the case a couple of weeks ago when he and his family traveled to Lake Vermilion in the far northeast corner of Minnesota. At nearly 50,000 acres, Vermilion is the fifth-largest lake in Minnesota. A guy needs a hand to narrow the search for big fish.

"Several good friends have marked my map to help us out. That help has been invaluable, one of the many reasons to be part of the muskie community," he said. -

Pallo focused on a large weed bed in a bay where he slammed a 48- inch muskie about 10 p.m. His son, Chris, got a 44-inch fish an hour later. They also raised a 50-inch fish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the latest netting survey revealed 15 percent of the muskies were 50 inches or larger.